About Our Equine Operations
Russ Barnett started this Columbia Falls business on 4 July 1986 to make backcountry packing gear that was simple to use, and in the mid-1990s put his own TrailMax label on saddlebags. A mail-order catalogue followed in 1997. The shop at 7373 US Highway 2 East still opens Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, and still builds stock on site: the Premium Decker pack saddle, $1,220, comes out of the Columbia Falls leather shop with a cottonwood or polymer tree, Hermann Oak harness leather rigging and cinches from 22 to 36 inches. Alongside pack saddles, panniers and pack rope sit bridles, bits, reins, halters, breast collars, cinches, stirrups, saddle pads and trail saddles.